U.S. patent application number 09/734703 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for motor and attachment structure.
Invention is credited to Kikuchihara, Takashi, Suimon, Yoshio.
Application Number | 20010006313 09/734703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32300048 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010006313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kikuchihara, Takashi ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Motor and attachment structure
Abstract
A motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, wherein at
least a portion of a case (20) for the motor (1) forms at least one
of the plurality of electrode terminals.
Inventors: |
Kikuchihara, Takashi;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Suimon, Yoshio; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
700 11TH STREET, NW
SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20001
US
|
Family ID: |
32300048 |
Appl. No.: |
09/734703 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
310/89 ;
310/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02K 11/0094 20130101;
H02K 11/40 20160101; H02K 5/00 20130101; H02K 5/225 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/89 ;
310/71 |
International
Class: |
H02K 005/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 1999 |
JP |
11-368199 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, wherein at
least a portion of a case for the motor forms at least one of the
plurality of electrode terminals.
2. The motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor comprises two
electrode terminals and a portion of the case for the motor forms
at least one of the two electrode terminals.
3. The motor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor comprises two
electrode terminals and at least a portion of the case for the
motor forms two electrically separated regions, one of which forms
one of the two electrode terminals and the other of which forms the
other of the two electrode terminals.
4. The motor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor comprises
positive and negative electrode terminals and at least a portion of
the case for the motor forms the negative electrode terminal.
5. The motor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motor comprises
positive and negative electrode terminals and at least a portion of
the case for the motor forms the positive electrode terminal.
6. The motor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the other electrode
terminal is disposed on an end surface of the motor.
7. The motor as claimed in claim 5, wherein the other electrode
terminal is disposed on an end surface of the motor.
8. An attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery,
comprising: a motor which has two electrode terminals and a case
for the motor a portion of which forms at least one of the two
electrode terminals; and a battery for driving the motor; wherein
each of the electrode terminals of the motor is connected to a
corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive
member.
9. An attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery,
comprising: a motor which has two electrode terminals and a case
for the motor at least a portion of which forms two electrically
separated regions, one of which forms one of the two electrode
terminals and the other of which forms the other of the two
electrode terminals; and a battery for driving the motor; wherein
each of the electrode terminals of the motor is connected to a
corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive
member.
10. An attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery,
comprising: a motor which has two electrode terminals and a case
for the motor a portion of which forms at least one of the two
electrode terminals; and a battery for driving the motor; wherein
one of the electrode terminals of the motor is connected to a
corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive
member and the other of the electrode terminals of the motor is
connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery directly.
11. An attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery,
comprising: a motor which has two electrode terminals and a case
for the motor at least a portion of which forms two electrically
separated regions, one of which forms one of the two electrode
terminals and the other of which forms the other of the two
electrode terminals; and a battery for driving the motor; wherein
one of the electrode terminals of the motor is connected to a
corresponding electrode of the battery through only a conductive
member and the other of the electrode terminals of the motor is
connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery directly.
12. An attachment structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least
one of the conductive members can be brought into contact with or
away from the battery or the motor.
13. An attachment structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least
one of the conductive members can be brought into contact with or
away from the battery or the motor.
14. The attachment structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
battery is a button-type one.
15. The attachment structure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
battery is a button-type one.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a motor and an attachment
structure for attaching the motor, in particular, to a structure of
electrode terminals of the motor and an electric connection
structure between the electrode terminals of the motor and a
battery.
[0003] 2. Description of Earlier Development
[0004] In general, a motor having a pair of electrode terminals,
i.e., positive and negative terminals, at the rear portion thereof
is known. In order to incorporate such a motor, for example, in a
toy or the like, it is required to solder one end of each
corresponding conductive wire (lead wire) to the corresponding
electrode terminal of the motor, respectively and to connect the
other end of each corresponding conductive wire to each electrode
of the battery.
[0005] However, the motor with such a structure of electrode
terminals has a problem of being difficult to miniaturize it. That
is, in order to miniaturize the motor, when making each component
part thereof small, each of two electrode terminals becomes small
also. Accordingly, it is not possible to secure the rigidity of the
electrode terminals and it becomes hard to solder one end of each
corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode
terminal because the distance between the electrode terminals is
also small.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a motor having a
structure of electrode terminals which is suitable for
miniaturizing itself.
[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved
electric connection structure between the electrode terminals of
the motor and a battery.
[0008] In accordance of one aspect of the invention, in the motor
with a plurality of electrode terminals, at least a portion of a
case for the motor forms at least one of the plurality of electrode
terminals.
[0009] According to the motor, because at least a portion of a
motor case which has a relatively large surface area among the
component parts forms at least one of the electrode terminals (may
form all electrode terminals), it is easy to solder one end of each
corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode
terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the
electrode terminals.
[0010] Even if the rest of the electrode terminals is disposed on
the end surface of the motor, because at least one of the electrode
terminals is provided on the case, the rest of the electrode
terminals can be made thick in comparison with the case of
providing all terminals on the end surface of the motor. As a
result, it is possible to make the electric connection for the rest
of the electrode terminals good and also to enhance the rigidity
thereof.
[0011] It is of course that provision of a plurality of electrode
terminals on the peripheral surface of the case requires making a
plurality of regions which are insulated to each other, on the
case.
[0012] The motor may comprise two electrode terminals and a portion
of the case for the motor may form at least one of the two
electrode terminals.
[0013] According to such a motor, it is possible to provide almost
the same function and advantageous effects as the above-described
motor.
[0014] The motor may comprise two electrode terminals and at least
a portion of the case for the motor may form two electrically
separated regions, one of which forms one of the two electrode
terminals and the other of which forms the other of the two
electrode terminals.
[0015] According to the motor having such a structure, because at
least a portion of a motor case which has a relatively large
surface area among the component parts forms at least one of the
electrode terminals, it is easy to electrically connect one end of
each corresponding conductive wire to the corresponding electrode
terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the
electrode terminals.
[0016] The motor may comprise positive and negative electrode
terminals and at least a portion of the case for the motor may form
the negative electrode terminal. The motor may comprise positive
and negative electrode terminals and at least a portion of the case
for the motor may form the positive electrode terminal. In the
cases, it is of course that the negative electrode terminal or the
positive electrode terminal provision formed on the case should be
insulated from the other electrode.
[0017] The other electrode terminal may be disposed on an end
surface of the motor.
[0018] According to the motor having such a structure, because only
one electrode terminal is provided on the end surface of the motor,
the electrode terminal on the end surface can be made thick in
comparison with the case of providing two terminals on the end
surface of the motor. As a result, it is possible to make the
electric connection for the electrode terminal on the end surface
good and also to enhance the rigidity thereof.
[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, in the
attachment structure for attaching a motor to a battery, each of
the electrode terminals of the motor as claimed in any one of the
claims 2 to 6 is connected to a corresponding electrode of the
battery through only a conductive member. One of the electrode
terminals of the motor as claimed in any one of the claims 2 to 6
may be connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery
through only a conductive member and the other of the electrode
terminals of the motor may be connected to a corresponding
electrode of the battery directly. For example, as the battery, a
button-type one may be used.
[0020] According to such an attachment structure for attaching a
motor to a battery, because each electrode terminal of the motor is
connected to a corresponding electrode of the battery, through only
a conductive member or directly, it is possible to reduce number of
component parts for connection.
[0021] In the attachment structure, preferably, at least one of the
conductive members can be brought into contact with or away from
the battery or the motor. For example, as the battery, a
button-type one may be used.
[0022] According to such an attachment structure, because the
conductive members can be brought into contact with or away from
the battery or the motor, it is possible to control on or off of
the motor by being brought into contact with or away from the
battery or the motor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not intended as a definition of the limits of the present
invention, and wherein;
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the motor shown in
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the large case
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the completed
rotor shown in FIG. 2;
[0028] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the small case
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the motor shown in
FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the rotor shown in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 8 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for
attaching a motor to a battery, according to the first embodiment
of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 9 is an explanation view of an attachment structure for
attaching a motor to a battery, according to the second embodiment
of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 10 is an explanation view of an attachment structure
for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the third
embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an explanation view of an attachment structure
for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the fourth
embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 12 is an explanation view of an attachment structure
for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the fifth
embodiment of the invention; and
[0036] FIG. 13 is an explanation view of an attachment structure
for attaching a motor to a battery, according to the six embodiment
of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motor according to an
embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of
the motor, and FIG. 7 is a rear view of the rotor shown in FIG.
1.
[0038] The motor 1 is a DC motor and comprises a large case
assembly 2, a completed rotor 3, and a small case assembly 4, as
shown in FIG. 2. Next, the large case assembly 2, a completed rotor
3, and a small case assembly 4 will be explained in order, as
follows.
[0039] The large case assembly 2 comprises a cylindrical large case
body 20 with an opening 20a which is formed at the rear side
thereof, as shown in FIG. 3. The large case body 20 is made of a
conductive material.
[0040] In the large case body 20, a cylindrical magnetic stator 21
is provided. The stator 21 is generally made of a permanent magnet
or an electromagnet, to produce a constant magnetic field in the
motor 1. In the embodiment, a permanent magnet is used as the
stator 21.
[0041] The completed rotor 3 comprises a core 31 attached to a
rotary shaft 30, a driving coil wound around the core 31, a sleeve
33 and a thrust ring 34 which are disposed in an end side on the
rotary shaft 30 for sandwiching the core 31, and a commutator 35
and oil cutter 36 which are disposed in the other end side on the
rotary shaft 30, as shown in FIG. 4. The commutator 35 comprises a
central member 35a and commutator pieces 35b, 35b and 35b which are
attached to the central member 35a.
[0042] The small case assembly 4 comprises a small case body 40
which is fitted into the opening 20a of the large case body 20 to
cover the large case body 20, as shown in FIG. 5. The small case
body 40 is made of an insulating material.
[0043] The small case assembly 4 further comprises a first
conductive piece 41, a second conductive piece 42, a third
conductive piece 43, a first contact spring 44, and a second
contact spring 45, which are attached to the small case body 40, as
shown in FIG. 5. An end of the first conductive piece 41 is
connected to the positive electrode of the battery B to form a
positive lead terminal. The other end of the first conductive piece
41 has a structure to be able to electrically connect to the
commutator 35 through the first contact spring 44. The top end of
the first conductive piece 41 is bent after the first conductive
piece 41 was assembled to the small case body 40, as shown in FIG.
6. The second conductive piece 42 is connected to the large case
body 20 through the third conductive piece 43. The large case body
20 is electrically connected to the negative electrode of the
battery B. That is, the motor 1 has a structure of an earthed body.
The second conductive piece 42 has a structure to be able to
electrically connect to the commutator 35 through the second
contact spring 44.
[0044] Recess portions 5 for positioning are formed at
predetermined positions in the rear portion of the large case body
20 and in the small case body 40, of the motor 1. Positioning of
the rotor 3 to the case assemblies can be carried out by fitting
bosses which are provided at predetermined positions on an
attachment portion of the rotor 3 but are not shown in figures, in
the recess portions 5 for positioning.
[0045] Next, embodiments of the attachment structure for attaching
the motor 1 to the battery B, according to the invention will be
explained as follows.
[0046] The first embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
8. In this embodiment, the motor 1 is attached to the button type
battery B so that the end surface of the negative electrode of the
battery B faces to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20
of the motor 1 through a conductive member 50. An end surface of
the conductive member 50 to be connected with the negative
electrode of the battery B is flat so as to increase the contact
area with the negative electrode surface of the battery B. The
other end surface of the conductive member 50 has a U-shaped or
arch-shaped section to fit to the curvature of the peripheral
surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase
the contact area with the large case body 20. On the other hand,
the positive electrode surface of the battery B is electrically
connected to the positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41
of the motor 1 through a conductive member 51 which has an L-shape
as a whole and both end portions bent and folded.
[0047] The second embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
9. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment of FIG. 8
in that the negative electrode surface of the battery B is
electrically connected to the peripheral surface of the large case
body 20 of the motor 1 directly without the conductive member 50
which is used in the attachment structure shown in FIG. 8.
[0048] The third embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
10. In this embodiment, the motor 1 and the button type battery B
are arranged so that the central axis of the button type battery B
is approximately parallel to the rotary shaft 30 of the motor 1.
The end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B is
connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of
the motor 1 through a conductive member 52. An end of the
conductive member 52 is bent and folded to connect to the end
surface of the negative electrode of the battery B and the other
end of the conductive member 52 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped
surface to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the
large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact
area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive
electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the
positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1
through a conductive member 53 both end portions of which are bent
and folded.
[0049] The fourth embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
11. In this embodiment, the motor 1 and the button type battery B
are attached so that the central axis of the button type battery B
is approximately perpendicular to the rotary shaft 30 of the motor
1. The end surface of the negative electrode of the battery B is
connected to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of
the motor 1 through a conductive member 54. An end of the
conductive member 54 is bent and folded to connect to the end
surface of the negative electrode of the battery B and the other
end of the conductive member 54 has a U-shaped or arch-shaped
surface to fit to the curvature of the peripheral surface of the
large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as to increase the contact
area with the large case body 20. On the other hand, the positive
electrode surface of the battery B is electrically connected to the
positive terminal (the first conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1
through a conductive member 55 both end portions of which are bent
and folded.
[0050] The fifth embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
12. In this embodiment, the motor 1 is attached to the button type
battery B so that the end surface of the negative electrode of the
battery B faces to the peripheral surface of the large case body 20
of the motor 1 through a conductive member 56. The end surface of
the negative electrode of the battery B is connected to the
peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 through
a conductive member 56. An end of the conductive member 54 is bent
and folded to connect to the end surface of the negative electrode
of the battery B and the other end of the conductive member 56 has
a U-shaped or arch-shaped surface to fit to the curvature of the
peripheral surface of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 so as
to increase the contact area with the large case body 20. On the
other hand, the positive electrode surface of the battery B is
electrically connected to the positive terminal (the first
conductive piece) 41 of the motor 1 through a conductive member 57
which has an L-shape as a whole. The reference numeral 58 denotes a
motor cramp for cramping the motor.
[0051] The sixth embodiment of the attachment structure for
attaching the motor 1 to the button type battery B is shown in FIG.
13. This embodiment is almost the same as the fifth embodiment of
FIG. 12 except the point that the negative electrode surface of the
battery B is electrically connected to the upper peripheral surface
of the large case body 20 of the motor 1 directly. According to the
attachment structure, because the motor 1 can be cramped by a
conductive member 56, a specific motor cramp is not required.
[0052] According to the attachment structure of the above-described
each embodiment, because the button type battery B is electrically
connected to the motor 1, through a conductive member or directly,
it is possible to cut off the electrical connection by moving any
one of the button type battery, motor, and the conductive
member.
[0053] It should also be understood that the present invention is
not limited to the embodiment as the above described and various
changes and modifications may be made to the invention without
departing from the gist thereof.
[0054] For example, although the large case body 20 makes a
negative lead terminal in the above-described embodiments, the
large case body 20 may make a positive lead terminal. Two
electrically separated regions formed on the large case body 20 can
be also adopted as positive and negative lead terminals. An exposed
portion of an inner case which is provided in the large case body
20 can be also adopted as a lead terminal. Although the large case
body 20 is used as a lead terminal in the above-described
embodiments, it is possible to use the periphery of the small case
body 40 as the terminal instead of the large case body 20.
[0055] The above-described motor can be incorporated in a
small-sized vehicle model, a small-sized mascot doll, a key chain,
a strap for cellular phone, a small-sized object such as an insect
model and the like.
[0056] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
Tokugan hei-11-368199 filed on Dec. 24, 1999 including
specification, claims, drawings and summary are incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety.
[0057] According to the motor of the present invention, because in
the motor with a plurality of electrode terminals, at least a
peripheral portion of a case for the motor forms at least one of
the plurality of electrode terminals, the motor is suitable for
miniaturizing, and it is easy to electrically connect one end of
each corresponding conductive lead to the corresponding electrode
terminal and it is possible to enhance the rigidity of the
electrode terminals. Further, it is easy to incorporate the motor
into a toy and the like, and is also easy to remove it. Further, it
is possible to cut off the electrical connection to the battery
easily by moving any one of the button type battery, motor, and the
conductive member.
* * * * *